3" shells for Pheasant

[Bowhunter_24]

Not trying to be a tough guy (more like a cheap ass) but I use whatever I have. A lot of times I use clay pigeon shells. 8 shot game loads.

Late season I try to make sure I have some decent shells.

 

[Account Deleted]

I'll use 3 1/2" sometimes just to see what looks I get. Plus it kills birds deader.

 

[DirtyMike]

first off, I'm from North Dakota so I don't have an O/U. :::. I will keep a 3" as the third shell. Mainly just use 2 3/4" 4 shot. I guess I use the 3" when the bird gets way out there and I need a little more power....

 

[bigcatpike]

Wow! someone had something stuck in their barrel!

 

[shorthairsrus]

Keep in mind generally that larger oz shot will take longer to get to the target. Late season when they jump up a mile ahead of you or windy days like the other day ago when they jump up and are gone --- yup I throw in 3" The older I get --- less about the kill and more about the meat -- so my old box of golden pheasants 3s stays in the bin and I suppose one day it will be an antique.

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PS if your talking 20ga ----- I didn't even know they made a 2 3/4 as I would have a 3 in all the time.

 

[svnmag]

Wow! someone had something stuck in their barrel!

Old steel can rust into a slug, a FC can exacerbate this situation. Are you dicking around?

 

[Enslow]

3 1/2" inch shells have the most power. 10 guage for late season birds.

 

[johnr]

I have tried tricking mrs johnr with the more power in that extra quarter inch, she is onto my tomfoolery

 

[Gus]

2 3/4 with worthy retriever and 3 when dog less.

 

[Ponyroper]

Early in the season I like to put a seven and a half game load in first and two 6's behind with a modified choke. Once the birds get wilder and tougher I go two sixes and a 4 in my full choked 870. I always like to get as many BB's in my pattern as possible. Knockdown punch isn't as important to me because I pass up long shots that most of my hunting partners think are doable. Usually they don't hit those long shots anyway and a box of sixes often lasts me a couple years.

 

[Mort]

Just don't shoot fiocchi's see my post hint hint....

 

[WLYHNTR]

3 1/2" BBB work good

 

[guywhofishes]

I shoot #4 lead 20g 2-3/4 fastest loads I can find. I want the shot to pass through so I don't chomp it. #2 steel where required. Again max velocity 2-3/4".

 

[espringers]

I will use em. Not always. Sort of depends on the mood I am in when shopping. We don't hunt in pheasant heaven. So, we don't have a lot of extra opportunities. 3" definitely kills em more deader.

 

[Kurtr]

Wish it was like Canada and you could.use a .22

 

[Gus]

Wish it was like Canada and you could.use a .22

i like to think we're close enough?

 

[Zogman]

12 ga. 2 3/4 inch 5 shot lead Home brewed. 20 ga, 3 inch 6 shot lead.

 

[pluckem]

I went to purchase a box of 3" last week, but found they are 200 or more fps less then the 2 3/4". so just went with those. If I could find a box of 3" lead at 1500 fps I would buy it. Why not? I have no dog and hate losing birds. More dead is better than dead.

 

[Fisherman25]

I thought I posted this last night but can't find it: IMHO, like turkey, pheasants are not made of iron. Any quality "high brass" has plenty of "power". I prefer a full choke for pheasant. Let a close flusher get out there a ways before touching off. Aim the gun like a rifle and put the bead right up it's ass. For crossers, try to concentrate on the head only or (if safe!) actually take the time to re-position your whole body to facilitate the aforementioned bead in the ass technique. I have some of those hellfire Fed 2 3/4s ( 1 3/8oz @ 1450) and they are indeed effective on the bird AND shoulder but kill no more dead than a plain Jane Win Super X or Rem Express 1 1/4. IMHE. If you're not used to a FC imagine a 50ft shot string.

You're of course welcome to aim however you feel comfortable, but I shot competitive sporting clays for years and most who
have don't aim like your saying. Like I said though, do what works for ya.

Generally I just use a high velocity 5 shot 2.75 inch. 3 inch no doubt has a little more knockdown, but I don't shoot that till later in the year. We dog hunt with pointers though, so generally we don't need to shoot long shots in early season.

 

[shorthairsrus]

Tough time finding that pressure to great. Mag=slow. 1 and 3/8 2 3/4 is your huckleberry.